FOR TWENTY YEARS

Our mission: Inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania’s
state parks and forests
.






Much of my week has been devoted to logging the statistics from our Chapters' annual reports for 2018 and calendaring their events for 2019. As ever, the work accomplished was impressive - and there are a lot of fun things coming up this year once again. The Friends of Shawnee will host their first 5k/10k/Half Marathon come September while the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace give theirs the usual expert treatment in June; the Friends of Cowans Gap, Kings Gap, Ohiopyle, and Goddard (at the very least) will have music on beaches, on lawns, in mountains, at marinas. There'll be art on display and art to make and of course lots and lots of opportunities for you to volunteer for these events and in general projects around parks, forests, and trails.

We do hope you will heed the weekly advice to bookmark both our events calendar and DCNR's to find these great ways to spend time outdoors.

This week's masthead offered the opportunity for contrast. While looking for pictures of Bald Eagle State Forest (our Forest of the Year for 2019), I came upon this Facebook post from Ian Adrian. Compare his view from Jones Mountain on January 2 with that entered by Frank DelFlores in our photo contest a few years ago.



Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator


News of note

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This just in! CBS21 in York did a piece last night on the parks and forests maintenance funding campaign. Click here to watch and read the story.

In spite of bitter cold weather, an excited group of potential volunteers gathered last week to discuss the formation of an official Friends of Michaux chapter. Stay tuned for the next meeting when next steps will be formalized. Those next steps generally come about by virtue of your responses to a survey; if you are interested in the group and would like to participate in the survey, drop me a line and I will make sure you receive a link when it's finalized.

And speaking of Bald Eagle State Forest, we are about to take the first tentative steps for a chapter there with a first meeting scheduled for March 28th. Details are yet to be completely finalized but you will find them on our events calendar when the appointment is definite. The Forest of the Year will be a great addition to the Chapter roster.

Yes, our annual awards have been finalized and once again we have a wonderful array of people to honor. Banquet sponsorships allow us to offer the evening to our winners and their families/guests at no charge to them so if your business or organization would like more information on the benefits of a banquet sponsorship, you can find out more on the sponsor sheet on our website.


  • Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Larry Williamson
  • Ibberson Government Award: Dan Devlin
  • President’s Award: National: REI for #OptOutside and #ForceofNature and Statewide: United by Blue
  • Park of the Year: Laurel Hill State Park
  • Forest of the Year: Bald Eagle State Forest
  • Education Award: Friends of Washington Crossing
  • Improvement Award: Group: North Country Trail Association-Clarion County Chapter
  • Individuals: Ron and Donna Hirt, Parker Dam State Park
  • Volunteerism Award: Don Litten, Friends of Black Moshannon

At work and play in the parks and forests

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Hope you enjoyed spring while it lasted - hope even more that not ALL the snow is gone!

North

I don't know if there's space left but if there is Winter Women in the Wilds at SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK would be a great way to spend this weekend (beginning today). (And if it's sold out for this year, mark your calendar for next January to get in early!)

South

Saturday is a Winter Fun Day at PRINCE GALLITZIN STATE PARK. Well, every day is a fun day at Prince Gallitzin but this one's official!

East

Are you up for another Winterfest? Of course you are. LACKAWANNA STATE PARK is the Saturday place!

West

Step into Snowshoes at JENNINGS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER and step into some great winter exercise. And while you're there be sure to check out the new exhibits inside - if this one photograph is any indication, this is a must see learning adventure! Bringing the prairie inside.

No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

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Our picture this week comes from Julie Brennan, the Tourism Director at the Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitor's Bureau. Julie snapped the picture less than a mile from the Kettle Creek State Park office and notes a little bit of snow on his majestic head from grazing in the branches above. If this is the kind of attractions to be expected, Julie's group shouldn't have any trouble at all promoting Clinton County tourism!

 

Take five for trivia

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Looks like I stumped all but two of our usual trivia whizzes - Sandy and Bonnie got it! I know, as sometimes happens my phrasing of the question was probably a little cryptic and confusing but I didn't want to give too much of the answer away. Nevertheless, the reference to a "hothouse," would (I hoped) lead people to an association with the orchid. And those who read DCNR's regular "Good Natured Blog" on January 28 would have read about the hibernal puttyroot and cranefly orchids which have adapted nicely to the cold. Check out the article by Rebecca Bowen to read more. And visit the DCNR website regularly for the blog posted right to the home page. There's always something nifty or inspiring there.

For this week's brain buster, what state parks are contained within/abut Bald Eagle State Forest?

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct response into our monthly prize drawing. All correct answers each week will go into the hat and at the end of the month we'll draw one lucky winner. The more correct answers you submit in a month (up to four or the occasional five depending on the month), the more chances you'll have to win.


In closing

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Find your perfect match at: https://paparksandforests.org/friends-groups/groups/



Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.


Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.

  

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